Skye Halifax Green Skyscrapers To Be the Tallest Towers in Nova Scotia

Posted By Mark Boyer On October 12, 2011 @ 4:23 pm In Architecture,Green Building | No Comments

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The Canadian province of Nova Scotia is renowned for its natural beauty and fisheries, but it isn’t as well known for its skyscrapers. After all, the tallest building in Halifax, the capital city, has just 32 floors. That could all change if developer United Gulf Developments Ltd. gains approval to build Skye Halifax[2], a pair of curved, 48-story towers that are planned for downtown Halifax. The towers, designed by Toronto-based architectsAlliance[3], are meant to resemble the sails of a ship in a nod to the city’s maritime history.

In addition to its unique design, Skye Halifax will also have some notable green credentials[4]. The current plan calls for a geothermal heating and cooling system, living green walls, a greywater system, low-flow plumbing fixtures, and green roof terraces. Plans also call and indoor and outdoor bike storage facilities and showers for commercial and retail tenants who commute by bike. The developer will seek LEED certification[5] for the project. The mixed-use development will include condominiums, a boutique hotel, and ground-level retail. Construction is set to begin by the end of 2012.